Real-Smile
“When
you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings
joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life.”
Jean
Shinoda Bolan
I heard a term yesterday
that I'd not heard before. Our life expectancy, for the first time
ever, is moving in the wrong direction—it is getting shorter. And,
the reason for this is attributed to “diseases of despair.” The
death rate due to addiction, overdoses, suicide and gun violence has
surpassed traffic accidents. Depression, desperation, hopelessness,
helplessness, and rage lead to despair. So many of us live in a
bubble, insulated from our own sadness, and the sadness of others—and
not surprisingly. Our culture does not recognize diseases of despair
as legitimate illness. In fact, people are shamed over them, so they
“soldier-on” in denial. Head down, shoulders tight, make the best
of it, plaster on a smile and carry on. Until they just can't do it
anymore.
One of my Facebook
friends recently posted a note saying, “If I have to
fake-smile, I'm not going!” Give that a minute to sink in—how
often do you fake-smile? From the most famous celebrity to the
street-dweller, the fake-smile is entrenched in our culture? It is
pervasive. We all do it—everyday.
Psychiatrist, Jean
Shinoda Bolan, writes: “To be a soulful person means to go
against all the pervasive, prove-yourself values of our culture, and
instead, treasure what is unique and valuable in yourself and your
own personal evolution.” What gives you joy? What plants a
big-old real smile on your face? What is so enjoyable that you feel
almost naughty doing it? Please...go and do it. Learn to nurture your
own soul. If we want to move beyond addiction, violence, suicide, rage, despair—we must find within ourselves the true source of
soul-nurturing enrichment and jump-in with both feet. Act as though
your life depends on it, because it does. Life is not just about
being productive, being charming, being the “life of the party.”
Real life is about honoring the needs of, and expanding the reach of
your precious soul. I hope today is filled with so much beauty and joy that
you'll “real-smile” your way through it.
In the Spirit,
Jane
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